Books

''The Living End'' is gay writer Robert Leleux's second memoir. – Photo: Courtesy

In "The Living End" (St. Martin's Press, 2012), gay writer Robert Leleux's second memoir, he brings the reader up close to the experience of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease – and the toll it takes on family and friends. Leleux writes about his grandmother Joann's illness with loving care and respect. He keeps a level head throughout the book and even succeeds in infusing the tale with much-needed doses of humor.

It's almost impossible to go wrong when it comes to giving books as gifts. Even diehard Kindle and Nook users can find something to like among the following mainly print titles.

Jeffrey Eugenides appears at Boswell Book Company, 2559 N. Downer, at noon on Oct. 23. – Photo: Stefan Beetz/Vinnity.com

It's that time of year again. The days are getting shorter and the temperatures are getting cooler. What better way to welcome autumn than with a stack of new books, perfect for curling up with in front of a fireplace with a hot beverage within reach.

''Leche'' is R. Zamora Linmark's second novel.

Gay writer R. Zamora Linmark – aka Zack – is the author of two poetry collections, two novels and the play "Rolling The R's," based on his first novel of the same name. His second novel, the marvelous "Leche," is the kind of read that makes the cold winter hours pass quickly. 

Set for release in early 2012, "Why Are Faggots So Afraid of Faggots?" features contributors as D. Travers Scott, Thomas Glave, Horehound Stillpoint and Tommi Avicolli Mecca. (AK Press, 2011, $17.95).

Boswell Book Company, 2559 N. Downer, welcomes gay humorist Wade Rouse at 7 p.m. on Sept. 15.

Hooray for Hollywood

• In “The Bad Always Die Twice” by Cheryl Crane (Amulet Books, 2011, $16.95), Realtor-turned-amateur sleuth Nikki Harper investigates the death of a TV has-been in Hollywood. This is the first in what is reported to be a new series of mystery novels written by the out lesbian daughter of legendary movie star Lana Turner.
• “Lucille Ball FAQ: Everything Left to Know About America’s Favorite Redhead” (Applause Theatre & Cinema Books, 2011 $19.99). Writers James Sheridan and Barry Monush present a full portrait of Lucille Ball’s life, from childhood to love interests, from friends, family and co-stars to inspirations.

In Iowa last fall, Grant Wood biographer Tripp Evans, left, and partner Ed Cabral gripped their forks in front of the house that inspired Wood’s most famous painting. Evans discusses his biography April 21 at Milwaukee’s Boswell Books, 2559 N. Downer Ave., at 7 p.m. His appearance is co-sponsored by the Cream City Foundation’s Joseph R. Pabst LGBT Infrastructure Fund. – Photo: Molly Moser

In the 70 years since Grant Wood died, the celebrated Iowa artist has come to be seen, especially in his home state, as the artist in overalls – a simple, sexually neuter painter whose works celebrate the rural and small-town life of yesteryear.

John McGivern portrays Earlene Hoople in ''A Kodachrome Christmas.'' – Photo: Ross Zentner

"A Kodachrome Christmas" reunites Emmy-award winning actor and Milwaukee favorite son John McGivern with playwright/director Pat Hazell, a consultant on the first season of NBC's "Seinfeld." The two collaborated successfully on "Wonder Bread Years" and "Bunk Bed Brothers" to produce nostalgic laughs for Baby Boomer sensibilities. Their latest joint effort blends the spirit of those prior works with McGivern's popular one-man shows about growing up in Milwaukee. 

Photo: Courtesy

In the summer of 2010, a call went out for submissions to an anthology of writing by queer Chicagoans. Now, a little over a year later, the University of Wisconsin Press has published "Windy City Queer: LGBTQ Dispatches from the Third Coast," edited by Kathie Bergquist. It includes poetry and prose by more than 30 Chicago writers – from Carol Anshaw to Mark Zubro.

Oscar Wilde

(The following is reprinted from “Forgotten Tales of Wisconsin” by permission of author Martin Hintz.)